While my trip to South Africa was mainly a family trip and 90% of my time was spent shopping at malls and consuming rooibos cappuccinos and giant slices of cake at chain restaurants, I did manage to squeeze in a few things I've had on my list for ages. Joburg has really come a long way since I was there last about 4 years ago. It has this great creative vibe that's only going to get better in my humble opinion.

Anyway, here's where I went.

Centurion

Irene Dairy Farm is a beautiful farm in Centurion with a café and a shop filled with localish foods as well as freshly baked milk tarts and other South African desserts.

Nearby, there is a not for profit über hipster café called Vintage Coffee. It had only been open a couple of weeks when I went there but I bet it's going to go off. They give you a 2c coin (these are now out of commission) to drop into the box of a charity you vote for to have their proceeds donated to at the end of the month.

Johannesburg

44 Stanley is a really cool little centre in what looks like a hidden back alley of Joburg. You'll find trendy places to eat, drink and shop here.

Moyo is an amazing African restaurant that is a bit of an experience, especially if you're a tourist. They do face painting and a little hand washing ceremony for all guests. Oh, and the food is really really good.

Braamfontein

I kinda forced my friend to take me to Father Coffee after becoming slightly obsessed with this place via Instagram. And boy, did it not disappoint. The coffee was good too.

If I could fit any of the furniture at Dokter and Misses into my luggage I would have bought that shop empty. So many amazing pieces.

Maboneng Precinct

Market On Main is held every Sunday. I didn't go on a Sunday so missed the market but in the same centre there are a few restaurant/bars and other little studios to pop your head into. While I was there, they also had a gallery space set up exhibiting Drum Magazine covers from the 1950's and 60's when it was reporting on township life under apartheid.

Living Room is just down the road and pretty much my dream space. I could live here. It's a rooftop restaurant/bar with plants and greenery everywhere you look. EVERYWHERE. It's magical.

Pretoria

The farmers market in Pretoria blew my mind. Mostly because I could eat ALL the things I grew up with - vetkoek, milktart, pannekoek. I went both the saturdays I was there despite the rude pre-6am wake up call it entailed.

And finally, this is how I spent so many of my nights - sunsets and braais. Bliss. Sidenote - if you want to see a South African really disappointed, tell him you don't eat meat.